The Magic of Villa Fiori
Many people indulge in the magic of Villa Fiori, drawn by its charm and the sense that anything could happen. Among them is our neighbour and friend Walter, who is keeper of the parks mythical towers. Over time, he has shared countless stories about his experiences there, each more fantastical than the last. Walter and his friends call themselves the Friends of the Gnomes, and some of their tales tell of gnomes that come to life, scurrying across gardens and hiding among the flowers, their tiny movements almost imperceptible. Listening to Walter, it’s easy to believe that Villa Fiori is not just a beautiful villa, but a place where enchantment lingers in every corner, waiting for someone curious enough to notice.
When the villa was built in the mid-19th century, it looked quite different from how it appears today. Originally, it featured five towers, though one no longer stands. One tower already bore a name: The Angel Tower. The remaining towers were named by the Friends of the Gnomes. Among them is the "Tower of the Fairies," so named because, according to legend, winter brings fairies down from the high mountains. They seek refuge in this serene tower, listening to the gentle murmur of the waters below as they rest.
The “Angel Tower” is another treasured feature of Villa Fiori’s grounds. Legend has it that the angel of the thermal waters blesses the first Friday of March each year, renewing the waters’ therapeutic properties and breathing new life into them. The Bagni Caldi and Ponte a Serraglio area are also tied to the legend of a volcano, believed to be the very source of the thermal activity.
The Park also cradles a commemorative sign honoring Giuseppe Pardini, the visionary architect behind most of Villa Fiori’s buildings and parks. Here, where gnomes come alive when no one is watching and fairies keep the magic alive, his legacy lingers—a timeless presence woven into the very heart of the park.
